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| Ginger Lemon Quinoa Salad |
This salad was the hit at a recent church ladies luncheon. It's refreshing flavor is great as a stand alone side dish, served over a bed of greens, or rolled up in a tortilla for a take-along lunch. I will be honest and tell you that I would make a HUGE salad with this and serve it with homemade muffins, and some fresh fruit and call it "supper" on a hot summer night.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Quinoa is a whole grain, gluten-free, edible seed. It is also a complete protein. When cooked, it resembles couscous and has a nutty flavor. Purchase quinoa that is pre-washed. Natural quinoa has a coating on the seed, which functions as a natural insect repellent. Although not toxic to eat unwashed, some people find the taste a little bitter when the seeds are not washed before cooking. I just go ahead and purchase the pre-washed version. If you purchase the natural version, you will need a very fine mesh strainer. Simply measure out the quinoa and rinse under running water and proceed with the recipe as usual.
Quinoa is cooked much like rice:
4 cups washed quinoa
8 cups water
Place quinoa and water in a pan. Heat to boiling and then reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. When the water is absorbed, the quinoa will be perfectly cooked. Wait 5 minutes and fluff with a fork. Let cool for a few minutes.
Place cooled quinoa in a large bowl. Add diced tomatoes, green or red onions, cucumber, craisins, and chopped almonds.
If you don't have red green onions, you can use traditional green onions. Really red green onions taste pretty much the same, but add more color than the traditional green version.
The Dressing
This dressing is fantastic over the quinoa salad or over any other type salad. We made a double batch of dressing, served the quinoa salad over salad greens. and passed around the extra dressing. This dressing does contain some sodium from the Bragg's aminos. But, there is no added oil.
In a two cup measuring cup, mix together the liquids: lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, real maple syrup, and Bragg's aminos.
Add the spices: onion powder, garlic powder, and ginger.
Add 1/8-1/4 cup water. You want to add enough water to fill the measuring cup up to the 1 cup line.
Mix with a whisk until everything is well incorporated.
Pour over salad and stir with a big spoon.
*Note: If you have chosen to double the dressing recipe, do remember to pour only half of the dressing over the salad. Then, pour the remaining dressing into a pretty bottle so it can be passed at the table.
The Recipe!
Ginger Lemon Quinoa Salad
Makes: 16 servings
Salad:
12 cups cooked quinoa
2 medium tomatoes - diced
3 green or red green onions
1 medium cucumber - diced
1/2 cup craisins
1 cup chopped almonds.
Dressing:
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp real maple syrup
2 Tbsp Bragg's aminos (You can substitute coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. ginger
Additional:
1/8 - 1/4 cup water
Salad Directions:
4 cups washed quinoa
8 cups water
Place
quinoa and water in a pan. Heat to boiling and then reduce heat to
simmer for 15 minutes. When the water is absorbed, the quinoa will be
perfectly cooked. Wait 5 minutes and fluff with a fork. Let cool for a
few minutes.
Place cooled quinoa in a large bowl. Add diced tomatoes, green or red onions, cucumber, craisins, and chopped almonds.
If
you don't have red green onions, you can use traditional green onions.
Really red green onions taste pretty much the same, but add more color
than the traditional green version.
Dressing Directions:
In a two cup measuring cup, mix together the liquids: lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, real maple syrup, and Bragg's aminos.
Add the spices: onion powder, garlic powder, and ginger.
Add 1/8-1/4 cup water. You want to add enough water to fill the measuring cup up to the 1 cup line.
Mix with a whisk until everything is well incorporated.
Pour over salad and stir with a big spoon.
To download a PDF version of this recipe, click here.
Enjoy!
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Do all to the glory of God,
Hope
Of course now you'll need to post the recipe to the homemade muffins... : )
ReplyDeleteLOL! You're right! I'll have to get to that!!
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